Over 100 athletes and 35 mission staff and coaches making up a delegation of Canada's Special Olympics 'Team Canada' were officially recognized on Parliament Hill on Wednesday to celebrate their achievements at the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games last March.

"These Special Olympics Team Canada athletes are a true inspiration," said Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities and Member of Parliament Kent Hehr. "It is a privilege to honour the team for their performance at the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games. 

"I would like to congratulate them and thank them for representing Canada on the world stage."
 
The delegation included Olympic Gold Medalist and Special Olympics honorary coach Jamie Salé and Special Olympics Canada Chief Executive Officer Sharon Bollenbach.

The festivities started with a celebratory pep rally at nearby Notre Dame High School and a unified basketball game with the high school students followed by the formal recognition ceremony by the Government of Canada and a reception with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

"This is a very exciting day for Special Olympics Canada and for all Canadians with an intellectual disability," said Bollenbach. "We are honoured to be officially recognized in the House of Commons by the Prime Minister of Canada, the Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, Ministers, MPs, Senators and staff."
 
Official recognition by the Government in the House of Commons is reserved for special guests, including Canada's Olympians and Paralympians, who were also honoured by Canada's Members of Parliament in for their achievements following Rio 2016.

The 108 athletes who participated in the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Austria in March competed in six different sports, including alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, figure skating, floor hockey, snowshoeing and speed skating.